Wednesday, May 23, 2018

The Lost Castle

GIVEAWAY
CAMBRON, KRISTY
THE LOST CASTLE

Run-down walls and crumbling stones seemed to possess a secret language all their own. What stories would they tell, if she finally listened?

Ellie Carver arrives at her grandmother's bedside expecting to find her silently slipping away. Instead, the beloved woman begins speaking. Of a secret past and castle ruins forgotten by time. Of a hidden chapel that served as a rendezvous for the French Resistance in World War II. Of lost love and deep regret...

Each piece that unlocks the story seems to unlock part of Ellie too -- where she came from and who she is becoming. But her grandmother is quickly disappearing into the shadows of Alzheimer's and Ellie must act fast if she wants to uncover the truth of her family's history. Drawn by the mystery surrounding The Sleeping Beauty - a castle so named for Charles Perrault's beloved fairy tale -- Ellie embarks on a journey to France's Loire Valley in hopes that she can unearth its secrets before time silences them forever.

Bridging the past to the present in three time periods - the French Revolution, World War II, and present day - The Lost Castle is a story of loves won and lost, of battles waged in the hearts of men, and of an enchanted castle that stood witness to it all, inspiring a legacy of faith through the generations.

My Review:

I'm well and truly bedazzled! Love the Sleeping Beauty tie-in -- not quite a fairy tale retelling but it creates a fascinating ambiance to this incredible story.

And three timelines?! Who does that? Kristy Cambron, that's who. And she does it well. At first I thought, are three time periods really necessary? Uh...oh yes, they are. Necessary and fascinating and makes for a completely compelling read. Just make sure to take note of the dates when the time period changes because each individual story isn't always in chronological order. Sometimes it skips back a year or two and that rattled my reader sensibilities until I caught on. lol So there's a friendly reader tip for you. :-)

So, we have three heroines -- Aveline (French Revolution), Vi ((World War II) and Ellie (present day) and a castle that captivates them all. Honestly, the castle has a life of its own -- and oh, the secrets it shelters! And the readerly joy of discovering those secrets with each heroine - and the way those secrets intersect and weave their way through each generation. I had so many 'aha' moments along the way.

Actually, I'm kinda speechless. This is the type of story you just have to experience for yourself. And enjoy every blessed minute of it because I'm in a funk now that's over. :-( However, I am substantially cheered by the fact that the next book in the series -- The Castle on the Rise -- is set in Ireland!!!! And it's another triple timeline. I'm so excited!!!!!!

.GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Lost Castle, comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday May 27 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!


48 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  3. Third times a charm?? Do I see a pattern here...oy!


    This is a book I want to get lost in....who needs Calgon to take you away? LOL!!

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Bwahahaha!!!! You'll definitely lose all sense of time and place when you lose yourself in this novel! Good luck, Trixi!

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  4. Kristy Cambron wrote a brilliant story!
    Do you have a favorite of the 3 timelines?
    I kind of lean towards Aveline and Robert's story, mainly because of his sense of honor and family loyalty, but all were good.
    Like you, I am super excited for Castle on the Rise, 2019 seems so far away, hope it's by Feb. like The Lost Castle!
    Happy Wednesday and praying boot camp is going well!

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    1. Sigh...you've crushed me. I was hoping for late this year for that release. Sob! I'm super excited about it because it tackles the tumultuous times in Irish history....and there's bound to be Irish heroes x 3, right? I wonder if this triple timeline will become a new trend?

      I think I gravitated to different timelines at different points in the story. At first the French Revolution didn't pull me in as much and then - bam -- I was so hooked I wanted to skip chapters to get back to Aveline and Robert.

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    2. Sorry girl, no crushing intended but that's what her website says. I don't think many writers could pull off the triple timeline but Kristy sure does it well.
      On the upside we can be reading Irish with The Road to Magnolia Glen due out June 5th. I can't wait to get my copy!

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    3. You'll certainly get your fill of Irish with The Road to Magnolia Glen! :-)

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    4. I'm dancing a jig at the thought.

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  5. Kristy is an extraordinary author. I would love to read her book. Thank you for the opportunity. mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  6. Love her books. cheetahthecat1986ATgmail.com

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  7. I have read her Hidden Masterpiece series, which I thought very good both in story and imparting historical lessons. I like most dual timelines but a triple sounds interesting...Thanks!

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    1. I can't imagine how she organized it all as she was writing but it's amazing! Good luck, CC.

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  8. I have not read this author, but would certainly like a chance to read this story! Your review just has me so excited! Thanks!
    jacsmi75 at gmail dot com

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    1. Oooohhhhh -- here's a great place to start with Kristy Cambron! I predict you will be in readerly love. Good luck, Jackie.

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  9. Can't wait to get my hands on this one,love deal role books.Thanks for the giveaway and interview .msdottweety56atgmaildotcom

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  10. thank you for your review. oh I love double time periods. but three? oh how wonderful. i have to put this on my TBR list.
    quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

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    1. Yes you do. And three timelines equals triple the story enjoyment. I mean, really, you can't go wrong with three heroes, right? Good luck, Lori.

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  11. WOW! Three time periods - that sounds amazing. I've read some with two and LOVED them. I was leery as first, but quickly fell in love with the way the stories unfold.

    The tie in with Alzheimer pulls at my heart strings do having dealt with that with my Mom. Would love to see how much that plays in the story telling as well.

    Thanks for the review and bringing "THE LOST CASTLE" to my attentions. I've placed it on my TBR list for sure and would love the opportunity to read it. Appreciate the chance to win a copy.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. It always so interesting to see how the various time period threads all come together in this kind of book. Cambron does a great job at that. Good luck, Kay.

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  12. Sounds delectable! I’ve been wanting to read this one for some time. Kristy Cambron is such a gifted author and she’s the first author I read who weaved dual timelines into one story and I’ve been hooked (of course, I’ve found other wonderful authors who write great dual timeline stories since then but I’m quite partial to Kristy Cambron)! Thanks for the review and giveaway.

    mindyhoungATmsnDOTcom

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    1. These dual timelines are becoming really popular. A few years ago it was hard to find any! Good luck, Mindy.

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  13. I’ve been wanting to read this one! Count me in!
    Road to Magnolia Glen was awesome! Irish are so great! paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet thanks!

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    1. Arggghhhhh -- another person who has read Road to Magnolia Glen!!!!!!!!!!! Lovin' on all the book love readers are giving it. Y'all are hiking up my anticipation to nearly unbearable levels. Eeeep! Good luck, Paula.

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    1. Our libraries are comfortingly similar, Lucy. Great minds read alike and all that. :-)

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  15. Love your review, I just added this to my summer read list for vacation. sonflower277 at gmail dot com

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    1. You're welcome, Karen. This would be the perfect escape for a vacation read. Good luck.

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  16. I love love love this book. In my top 3 of the year, for sure!

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  17. Thanks for the reader tips, Kav. I'll be reading it sometime in the next few weeks because I just won a copy in another giveaway (so no need to include me in the draw this time.) Glad to read your review though -- and I can't wait for the next one set in Ireland! My ancestors came from there so am anxious to read it.

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    1. Ohh - glad you won a copy, Cheryl! I'm super excited for the Ireland one too because I was born there!!!!!! Woot!

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  18. Would love to read this! ☺
    smincer10(at)gmail(dot)com

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  19. This sounds intriguing and I don't think I've read anything of hers. teshawATsbcglobalDOTnet

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    1. She writes amazing complex and moving stories, Tammie! Hope you get to read something by her soon. Good luck.

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  20. I love Kristy Cambron!! She has such a uniquely rich writing style!
    pocoauthorATgmailDOTcom

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    1. 'Uniquely rich' -- I like that! A perfect description for Kristy Cambron's work. Good luck, Nicole.

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  21. Haven't yet had the chance to read any of her books. But they all sound so good!

    samanthabis23 at gmail dot com

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    1. Oooohhhhhh -- you must try her soon! Good luck, Samantha.

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  22. This book sounds so fascinating. I've heard lots of great things about it!

    whthomas13 AT yahoo DOT com

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    1. It`s got great reviews everywhere. Good luck, Winnie.

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  23. Thanks for the giveaway!

    ladysnowangelphotos(at)gmail(dot)com

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